The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse (TPSL) manager, John Potvin, is fired up about numerous improvements and events underway, especially the chance to see the secret Jimmy Buffett video premiere on August 9! Before we get to that, Potvin had other TPSL news to share with PropTalk: the new dock construction was nearing completion at the end of May. Three hundred seats for the two-hour tours that dock there had already been sold; that’s half the entire season!
This season two new davits will be installed on the western side of the lighthouse with the permission of the Maryland Historical Trust. John also noted that TPSL’s Fresnel lens, now in storage at the Calvert Marine Museum, will one day soon be displayed in the lighthouse, as the skilled craftsmen at the Annapolis Woodworkers Guild worked on a custom display case.
Dedicated PropTalk readers have read about Drew, the TPSL coyote and mascot, and his “surfing” adventure and other travels with local photographer David Sites. Natasha Nash Dixon’s children’s book, “Drew’s Grand Adventure,” draws upon those shenanigans and has sold 350 copies. The author has donated $2500 to the lighthouse fund.
The big 150th Anniversary Celebration for the lighthouse will unfold Saturday, August 9 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and the public is invited. PropTalk co-founder and author of “Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse,” Dave Gendell, will act as master of ceremonies. Speakers will include Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Sarah Elfreth, Steuart Pittman, Mayor Gavin Buckley, U.S. Lighthouse Society president Henry Gonzalez, and Wendy O’Sullivan of the National Park Service Chesapeake. The Eastport Oyster Boys will play live music.
To put a cherry on top of this special event, attendees will have the opportunity to watch never-before-seen footage of the late, great Jimmy Buffett playing music at the lighthouse during Covid.
The Anniversary Celebration is a call to action because the lighthouse faces an existential threat from sea levels rising. Since 2023, the landing dock has been damaged repeatedly by numerous serious storms and higher than normal tides. The goal is to raise the lighthouse level to ensure that this historic structure will remain for our grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sponsors and ticket sales for the event will provide funding to develop an engineering solution on how to elevate the lighthouse.
Event tickets went on sale June 1 at thomaspoint150th.com. Tickets cost $150 for regular admission, $250 for VIP (don't delay; tickets are going fast!). Learn more at thomaspointshoallighthouse.org.